Media Use

Social Media Isn’t So Great For Your Mental Health—Here’s Why
The capabilities and functionalities of social media are absolutely awe-inspiring. I mean, these platforms allow us to upload our thoughts and our experiences to the web in a matter of seconds; they enable us to have instant conversations with people on the complete opposite side of the world; and they facilitate upkeep of some of our most dear relationships, which would easily fall apart otherwise.
But that which glitters is not always gold. There are downsides to social media, even harmful effects on your health if you aren’t careful. “Although social media has done wonders to connect people all over the world, its pervasiveness and addictiveness does have an impact on mental health,” Dr. Bryan Bruno, Medical Director at Mid City TMS, explains. Here are a few reasons why, followed by a few helpful solutions:
1) Constant comparison of yourself to others.
“Social media users have more access to others’ photos and will naturally compare themselves to them. It’s constant, and it can lead to low self-esteem and potentially depression,” Bruno explains. “Receiving ‘likes’ and praise online can literally affect your brain. Activity in the brain’s region known as the nucleus accumbens increases when users get more online engagement. This region is the part of the brain’s reward circuitry and although it will light up when you see results you like on social media, activity decreases when you see things you don’t. This can lead to decreased brain activity and increased susceptibility to depressive thoughts.”
So, how can you combat this downside of social media? Well, you can take the wheel by first recognizing social media as the highlight reel that it is. What I mean is we all paint ourselves in a positive light on social media. We only post flattering pictures and redeeming or commendable statuses and tweets—often hiding the flaws, the not so envious parts of ourselves. Acknowledge this truth, keep it in mind while you scroll, and do what you can to break the mold. Start sharing real photos and life updates. And be a positive role model for all of your followers.
2) The need to know what’s going on.
There’s also a great deal of FOMO (or fear of missing out) involved, as explained by Bruno: “Social media can remind you you’re missing out on something, which can make you feel abandoned and depressed. It also involves you in issues and discussions you might not otherwise be in, which can be overwhelming. Studies have shown that there is a link between how much time an individual spends on social media and physical symptoms too, like headaches and shortness of breath caused by the rushing hormones in the brain,” he says.
The workaround for this one is to engage with a purpose. Only sign on to social media when you have a purpose, whether that be to share some good/bad news, to chat with a relative, or to post a selfie. This’ll help to stop that endless scrolling and, in turn, prevent you from experiencing a whole lot of FOMO. For those times that you do scroll through your feeds and feel anxious or jealous, return your focus on your life. Think about all you have going for you, maybe even right down some of your gratitudes, and then try to feel happy for instead of envious of that person.
3) Online engagement before bed.
And finally, the time many of us spend on social media right before bed is nothing but harmful, due to blue light and overstimulation: “A common tendency for many social media users is to check in before bed. A phone’s light can stimulate the brain when it should be preparing for rest, and then disrupt your circadian rhythm, potentially leading to issues of insomnia,” Bruno explains. “Sleep disruption and sleep deprivation have been proven to directly relate to mental health issues; insomniacs are 10 times as likely to have clinical depression and 17 times as likely to have clinical anxiety. Sleep deprivation will cause the brain’s amygdala to have greater responses to negative stimuli than a properly rested and restored brain. This implies you have less control over your emotions, which can lead to depression.”
The solution to this problem (if you have it) is simple: don’t scroll before bed. Keep the devices out of the bedroom. Buy a new alarm clock. Replace this bad habit with a better one. Do whatever it takes to stop engaging on social media right before you go to sleep. It might seem like I’m making a mountain out of a molehill, but trust me, I’m not. Or you know what, don’t trust me—you heard it from Dr. Bruno!
More about Media Use
What’s the cost of keeping up with today’s news? 4 tips for regulating your news intake
You probably don’t think twice about turning on the news or reading the latest stories online about what’s happening in the world. But did you know that too much news exposure can seriously harm your mental health and wellbeing? People are consuming more media than...
It might be time to clear out your “friends” list—Here’s how to unfollow someone on social media without offending them
Your daily screentime average is up 25% from last week. My screentime has been increasing weekly—and my iPhone loves to let me know it. If I had to guess, this is likely the case for many other people right now, too. We’re stuck at home; we’re bored; we’re checking...
Your device addiction is negatively affecting your children: Behavioral problems, language impairment, and more
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” When it comes to device addiction, this may very well be the case. As society becomes more dependent on smartphones and as we are bombarded with new apps on a daily basis, a large percentage of the population has become...
Internet Addiction: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More
Binge-watching Netflix; getting sucked into a YouTube channel about cats or cars; scrolling through Instagram and Facebook; shopping online; engaging in a heated discussion on Reddit; playing Minecraft, World of Warcraft, Fortnite; reading the news; taking personality...
Do violent video games really cause aggressive behavior? Despite popular belief, research says gaming does not influence behavior change
The common belief is that video games cause aggression in real life—but research shows this isn’t the case. Cultivation theory summarizes this belief; however, a University of York study shows that violent video games doesn’t influence players to behave any certain...
The Unintended Side Effects of Spending Too Much Time on Social Media Platforms
In late 2010, Steve Jobs was still at the head of Apple and had recently unveiled the first iPad. Jobs was well known for his personality and would often call reporters to let them know how he felt about their reviews. At times, these conversations would involve a pat...
The News Can Bring About Unwanted Anxiety
Every morning when I wake up, one of the first things I do is turn on The Today Show. It’s mostly background noise while I complete the rest of my morning routine, but sometimes I find myself just staring at the TV, mouth gaping. Somehow, I still can’t believe all of...
When Social Media Makes You Sad
We’re all guilty of it—scrolling enviously through our feeds, staring at all the pretty pictures and reading about our friends’ “glamorous” lives. But here’s the thing: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Have you ever heard someone refer to social media...
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Social Media Use: What’s the Difference?
If you’re an avid social media user—say of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or all of the above—you’ve probably wondered at some point in your life if your habits would be considered healthy… or if there might be some room for improvement. Fortunately, Licensed...
Social Media Isn’t So Great For Your Mental Health—Here’s Why
The capabilities and functionalities of social media are absolutely awe-inspiring. I mean, these platforms allow us to upload our thoughts and our experiences to the web in a matter of seconds; they enable us to have instant conversations with people on...
Does social media addiction really exist?
We joke with one another about being addicted to our smartphones, eyes glued to whatever social platform we have pulled up at the time, but have you ever actually considered the possibility? Oftentimes, I reach for my phone and open Instagram or Snapchat...
How Can Gaming Benefit You?
Let’s be honest, the media often gets a bad rap: social media platforms are criticized for being highlight reels, news networks are condemned for disseminating false or disheartening news, and movies as well as TV shows and video games are blamed for...
Can Spending Too Much Time on Social Media Cause Loneliness and Isolation?
Social media was made to connect—it’s primary purpose being to enable communication and foster an interconnectedness amongst us that never existed before. And while it may have accomplished that mission to some degree, it also came with some serious drawbacks, or as...